This past week or so, after the flurry of posts I wrote during my 4 days off work, I decided to take a break from the interweb. Refreshing it was, and a couple of things happened that I feel good enough to occupy some space with. Also, a thing that really sucks.
First, a not so good thing, I’ll whine – to get it out of the way. Since Monday, August 30, I have had to deal with a cold or allergy or something. And it has dashed this opening weekend of squirrel season. My oldest boy really wants to get out, but my condition would completely ruin everything with the sneezing, coughing, hacking, clearing my throat. But I have decided no matter what – damn the consequences – we are to get out Monday. I am not going to let this little hiccup get in the way of the only thing this particular son of mine likes to do outside.
Alright, on to the good stuff. The gracious generosity of my sister- and brother-in-law brought me this Scanoe! Yes, a scanoe. A 16-foot canoe with a flat bow on it that can take a small outboard motor – up to 5 HP, as I understand. But a motor, even an electric trolling motor, is a long way off in the future. I’ve got to get this thing registered and PFD’s need acquired. All that takes money, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, that is something thin for this household.
There are a couple of faults with this boat. The conduit that runs along the bottom has a split in one spot, only an inch or two long, and there are no midship thwarts ( supports between gunwales). I’ll get over all that, I’m sure. That is nothing compared to the good that will come of it!
I have also made the time to put together my birthday present from last December (yes, I’m a Sagittarius – explains a lot about me, really). A treestand. To make a long story short, it was bought at a HUGE reduction (the money thing again), and I have finally found out why. It is missing quite a few parts, but I am lucky enough that the safety harnesses are NOT the missing items. A support needs to be made that attaches the ladder to the tree, though, as there is a pretty nice bow in the middle of it without that support. It shouldn’t be that hard to make a safe, serviceable piece. Then the only other pieces it is missing are the ones to make a shooting rail. I’m not too worried about that, it would just get in the way while bow hunting anyway.
Not much to write home about, but it does feel good to check-in. Here’s to hoping that this dude from northeast Iowa can share stories and adventures using these two new pieces of equipment in the not-too-distant future. I can see the scenes now, picturesque waterways and autumn woods. Won’t promise anything, but the future looks bright!
Until I can write again, take care and I’ll see you on your blogs!
Your friend –
Casey
The Countryside Round 